Anat Cell Biol.  2021 Jun;54(2):292-296. 10.5115/acb.21.063.

Osteochondrosis dissecans in glenoid cavity of Korean War casualty’s scapula

• Lee H
• Koh K
• Cha M
• Namkoong T
• Park SJ
• Lee DH
• Kim JE
• Shin DH

• KMID: 2516915
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.21.063

Abstract

Since the first description of this disease in 1887, there are rare reports on osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) found in the glenoid cavity by way of anthropological studies. During an excavation project for recovery of the remains of Korean War casualties, a skeletonized soldier was found inside a cave fort at the Arrowhead Ridge of the demilitarized zone (DMZ), South Korea. In our recovery and examination of a Korean War casualty in DMZ, we identified a possible OCD in the individual’s glenoid cavity of a right-sided scapula by radiological analysis and computed tomography reconstruction. This is a rare case of scapular OCD discovered in an archaeologically investigated skeleton.

Keyword

Archaeology; Anthropology; Osteochondritis dissecans; Radiology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The location of battlefield (red circle) at the Arrowhead Ridge of Korean War. BLA: border line area, CACL: civilian access control line, DMZ: demilitarized area.

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  Fig. 2 Skeletons of a soldier discovered inside the cave fort (Case no. 20-DMZ-28).

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  Fig. 3 A soldier’s scapula. Note possible signs of osteochondrosis dissecans in glenoid cavity: intra-articular bony fragment and the bony defect around it with steep-sided edge. The concentric bony fragment is separated from underlying bone; but part of it still seems to be attached to the bone.

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  Fig. 4 Radiological images for osteochondrosis dissecans like lesion. (A) Plain X-ray radiography. Separation of fragment and radiolucency around it are not clearly observed. (B) Cross-section computed tomography image. Note bony fragment (arrows) and a concave defect with steep-sided edge around it (arrowhead).

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  Fig. 5 Three-dimensional reconstruction of a scapula computed tomography images. Reconstructed image of a scapula with marks for bony fragment (red-colored) and defect around it (blue-colored). Three-dimensional reconstructed scapula viewed from above (A) and obliquely (B).

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  Fig. 6 Three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography images of bony fragment (red-colored) and defect around it (blue-colored). The reconstructed images with bony fragment positioned (A) and removed (B). In (B), note white-colored parts (arrows) indicating bony connections between separated fragment and underlying bone.

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  Fig. 7 (A) Bony fragment (red-colored) and defect around it (blue-colored). Three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography images embedded in scapula. (B) Bony fragment. (C) Arrow indicates the passage through which the connection part between bony fragment and underlying bone is present.

Reference

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